Adjustable two-way table



Jan. 2, 1968 N. w. HQDGKIN 3,361,088

ADJUSTABLE I WO-WAY TABLE Filed June 1 7, 1966 INVENTOR. NEAL W. HODGKIN TORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,361,088 Patented Jan. 2, 1968 3,361,088 ADJUSTABLE TWO-WAY TABLE Neal W. Hodgkin, 16177 Carolyn St.,

San Leandro, Calif. 94578 Filed June 7, 1966, Ser. No. 555,794 7 Claims. (Cl. 108-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A table construction is described which can be used selectively as a high or a low table and which is adjustable in height over a continuous range when in its high table position. The table construction includes a rectangular table top and a two piece table supporting structure, each piece of which is defined by a substantially U-shaped tubular portion having tubular extension projecting from the free ends of the legs of the U. The tubular extensions of one of the pieces are telescoped into the tubular extensions of the other to provide a unitary structure in whch the diistance between the U- shaped tubular portions can be adjusted.

This invention relates to a table which can be used as both a relatively low table, such as a cofiee table, and as a relatively high table, such as an individual dining table. More particularly, this invention relates to such a table which is simple and structurally strong, and yet is adjustable in height with a minimum of elfort and provides a maximum amount of leg room beneath the table.

Tables are now available which have a table top that is securable to several different portions of the supporting frame structure so that the table is useful for more than one purpose. For example, tables exist which can be converted from a coffee table to an individual dining table such as might be used by individuals attending a buffet supper. All of such tables, however, have been subject to several disadvantages. For example, before a table of this type is useful as a dining table, it must be adjustable in height to enable its use by people of different sizes and in conjunction with chairs or the like of difierent heights. Since such a table must be rigid at any height to which it is adjusted, the means for adjusting the height of the tables are usually more complex than is desirable for easy adjustment. Furthermore, the necessity of having the table top supported in a rigid manner has caused the supporting structure to be generally too complicated for a user to have much leg freedom beneath the table top.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a two-Way table which can be simply and easily changed from a high table to a low table, and vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a table whose height can be adjusted over a continuous range when the table is in its high table form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the character described whose height can be varied in a simple and effective manner, and yet the table top will be rigidly supported at any height to which it is adjusted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a table which is structurally strong and rigid and yet has a minimum of structural support members beneath the table top to interfere with a user placing his legs beneath the table.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to such drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the table construction of the invention illustrating it in its low table position with the table top in phantom to show the construction of the table supporting structure;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the table constructure of the invention illustrating it in its high table position and with the table top shown in phantom;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 depicting the means by which the table top is secured to the table supporting structure; and

FIGURE 4 is an exploded side elevational view of the table supporting structure.

Referring to the drawings, it is seen that the table construction of the invention generally comprises a table top 11 and a table supporting structure 12. Supporting structure 12 is of a two-piece construction with the pieces being respectively designated by the reference numerals 13 and 14. Each of the pieces 13 and 14 comprises a generally U-shaped tubular portion having two leg sections 15, 16 and 17, 18, respectively, connected together by a cross member designated 19 and 21, respectively.

The pieces 13 and 14 also include tubular extensions 22, 23 and 24, 26 which are connected to the free ends of the leg sections. These tubular extensions project perpendicularly outward from the plane of the tubular portion to which they are associated. As best seen in FIG- URE 4, the extensions 24 and 26 of the pieces 13 have end portions 27 and 28 of a reduced diameter which telescopically fit within the tubular extensions 22 and 23 of the other piece 12. Because of the particular construction of the table and this telescoping connection between the pieces 13 and 14, the height of the table can be easily adjusted when it is in its high table position, and yet the table will rigidly remain at any height to which it is adjusted as will be explained below.

The underneath surface of table top 11 has four spring clips 29 secured thereto adapted to clip about tubular table structure 12 and thereby releasably secure the table top 11 to such structure. As shown in FIGURE 1, when the table is in its low position, i.e., with the cross members 19 and 21 of the U-shaped portions resting upon the floor, two oppositely disposed spring clips 29 secure the table to the tubular extensions 22 and 23 or the tubular extensions 24 and 26. When the table is in its upright position, i.e., when one of the U-shaped tubular portions rest upon the floor, three of the spring clips: secure the table top to the leg sections and cross member of the other U- shaped tubular portion.

The simplicity and ease by which the table can be changed from the low position shown in FIGURE 1 to the high position shown in FIGURE 2 and vice versa should be readily apparent from the above. To convert the table from a low table to a high table, for example, it is only necessary to remove the table top 11 from the supporting structure 12 by separating them against the force of the spring clips, turn the supporting structure on end, and then clip the table top to the upper U-shaped portion of the supporting structure. Desirably, the four spring clips are spaced an equal distance apart in a square configuration on the underneath surface of the table top. With such a configuration, the table top can be secured to the table supporting structure either, in the orienta- 3 tion shown in FIGURES 1 or 2, or at a 90 rotational orientation from that shown.

The cross members 19 and 21 of the U-shaped portions of the supporting structure provide sufficient rigidity to the table in both of its positions so that no additional cross bracing is necessary. This lack of cross bracing is particularly advantageous when the table is in the high position shown in FIGURE 2. Without cross bracing to interfere, the table can be pulled over a users lap. If when the table is pulled over a users lap, the legs provided by the tubular extensions 22, 24, and 23, 26 are away from the user, the user has substantially complete freedom of movement of his legs. That is, he can extend his legs forward between the table legs to the other side of the table, or he can spread his legs apart as far as he desires for comfort. The lack of cross bracing is also advantageous when the table is in the low position shown in FIGURE 1 because cross bracing would tend to generally limit the place of attachment of the spring clips, and hence the table top, to the supporting structure.

It has also been found that with a relatively tight frictional fit provided between the telescoped reduced end portions 27 and 28 and the tubular extensions 22, and 23, when the table is in the high position, the table will remain at any height adjustment without the necessity of providing locking means of some sort to prevent the two pieces 13 and 14 from telescoping together. It will remain at such height irrespective of the amount of Weight placed on the table. This is so because whenever weight is placed upon the table, binding is caused between the tubular extensions 22 and 23 and the reduced end portions 27 and 28. More particularly, objects placed upon the table when it is in the high position, will generally be placed over the U-shaped tubular portion to which the table top is attached. The weight of these objects will cause a rotational force moment to be imparted to the table legs provided by the tubular extensions. This moment will tend to cause binding between the reduced end portions 27, 28 and the tubular extensions 22, 23. The binding action will be directly proportional to the amount of weight placed on the table. This binding is principally due to the provision of the cross members 19 and 21. A major portion of the weight of any object on the table is imparted to the cross member of the U-shaped portion of the table to which the table top is attached. Because of the relatively great distance of the cross member from the tubular extensions, the moment provided by the weight on the cross member is large. Thus, even though a great weight is placed upon the table, the table will stay at the height to which it is adjusted.

For simplicity in manufacture, each of the table support structure pieces 13 and 14 is desirably of an integral one piece construction. More particularly, metal tubing is bent to form a U and the free ends of such U bent perpendicularly to the plane of the U to provide the tubular extensions. The reduced end portions 27 and 28 of the piece 13 can be provided by either actually milling down the tubing to reduce its diameter, or by inserting smaller diameter tubing into the bent over free ends of the integral tubing. It is to be noted that with either Construction, a shoulder 31 is provided on the inner end of the reduced diameter portion to limit the amount of telescoping between the two pieces.

It should be noted that the table can be used for many purposes. For example, when it is in its low position, the table can be used as a low dining table, coffee table or cocktail table. When the table is in its high position, it can be used as a bedside or lamp table. It should also be noted that different sized table tops can be provided 4 to extend the usefulness of the table to other purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A two-way table construction selectively having high and low table positions and which is adjustable in height over a continuous range when in one of said positions, said construction comprising a table top; a table supporting structure of two pieces, each of said pieces being defined by a substantially U-shaped tubular portion having two leg sections connected together at one end by a cross member and by tubular extensions projecting from the free end of each of the leg sections substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the U-shaped portion, the tubular extensions of one of said pieces being telescoped into the tubular extensions of the other to provide a unitary structure in which the distance between the U-shaped tubular portions can be adjusted over a continuous range; and means for releasably securing said table top to one of said U-shaped tubular portions to provide a first one of said positions and to said tubular extensions to provide the second of said positions.

2. The table construction of claim 1 wherein each of said table supporting structure pieces is constructed of an integral piece of metal tubing.

3. The table construction of claim 1 wherein the composite length of each pair of telescoped tubular extensions is longer than each of the leg sections of said U-shaped portions whereby said first position of said table is the high table position.

4. The table construction of claim 1 wherein each of the tubular extensions of one of said pieces is provided with a reduced diameter end portion to telescope within the tubular extensions of the other and with a stop shoulder to limit the extent of telescoping permitted.

5. The table construction of claim 3 wherein said re duced diameter end portions have a tight frictional fit within the tubular extensions of the other member.

6. The table construction of claim 1 wherein said means for releasably securing the table top to the U- shaped tubular portions and to said tubular extensions comprises a plurality of spring clips mounted on the underneath surface of said table top and adapted to releasably clamp upon the tubular portions and said tubular extensions.

7. The table construction of claim 6 wherein at least four of said spring clips are arranged in a square configuration on the underneath surface of said table top such that two, oppositely disposed, clips of said four clips will selectively clampingly engage oppositely disposed tubular extensions of said supporting structure and three of said four clips will selectively engage the legs and cross member of one of said U-shaped portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,602,011 7/1952 Sanders l0812 2,643,923 6/1953 Beall 108-12 2,757,998 8/1956 Adler 10812 3,108,550 10/1963 Knobock 108-124 3,128,727 4/1964 Rainwater 108--l29 3,227,111 1/ 1966 Rainwater 108129 FOREIGN PATENTS 675,355 7/ 1952 Great Britain.

611,824 11/ 1948 Great Britain.

990,604 9/ 1951 France.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner.

GLENN O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

